She was born on the family farm in Humphrey to the late Harold and Florence Counts Crum on Sept. 5, 1931. After graduating from Humphrey High School, she met the love of her life, Vernon R. Simpson. They began their life together in Selma, Ala., while Vernon worked for a local seed company, and soon had two daughters, Paula and Beverly.

After returning to Stuttgart, she worked for Kroger and Sears before returning to be a full-time wife, mother and grandmother. She was a member of Leona King Circle at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church, her canasta group and a member of the Stuttgart Hospital Women’s Auxiliary. She enjoyed gardening, camping, dancing and enjoyed her grandchildren’s activities and would always know the score of the Razorbacks game.

Ruth was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Vernon R. Simpson; three brothers, Ralph, Arthur and Robert Harold Crum; and two sisters, Helen Riddell and Linda Sue Crum.

Survivors include two daughters, Paula Ruff (Johnny), of Benton, and Beverly Keller (Bill), of Casscoe; one brother, Paul Crum of Garland, Texas; and two sisters, Marjory Vinson (Samuel), of Little Rock, and Mary Jane Johnson of Memphis, Tenn. She was “Neenie” to her four grandchildren, Jeremy Ruff (Heather), of Benton, Blake Ruff (Kimberly), of North Little Rock, Kirk Keller (Krista), of Stuttgart, and Kris Keller (Blair), of Stuttgart; and her five great-grandchildren, Gracie, Spencer, Lilly and Layla Ruff and Klein Keller; and a host of special nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 31, at 10 a.m. in the fellowship hall of Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. Funeral services will immediately follow at 11 a.m. in the sanctuary with the Rev. Clefton Vaughn officiating. Burial will follow in Lone Tree Cemetery by Turpin Funeral Home of Stuttgart.